Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis has reportedly made a generous personal donation to help former South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow in his battle with motor neurone disease (MND), setting aside one of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries.
The donation emerged as the Rabbitohs honoured Arrow before their match against the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium on Thursday night. Arrow, joined by his partner Berina and daughter Ayla, became emotional as he walked through a guard of honour from both teams before ringing the club’s iconic Legacy Bell.
South Sydney also distributed commemorative posters and displayed “Thank you Jai #1166” around the stadium in recognition of Arrow’s contribution to the club.
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said the support shown across the game had been overwhelming.
“I just want to thank everyone that helped with the preparation… and making sure it was a fitting celebration and recognition of Jai’s career as a player,” Solly said.
“Jai’s in for an extremely tough fight, but he knows that the whole rugby league community is standing with him.”
According to The Daily Telegraph, Politis reportedly met Arrow during a chance encounter on a flight from Los Angeles last year and later contributed towards the costs of a recent trip to a neurological wellness facility in Spain.
The Broncos have also pledged support, announcing they will auction match-worn jerseys from the game, with proceeds going directly to Arrow.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs said the news had resonated across the sport.
“Anyone in the NRL who is going through something like that, even if you don’t know them, it hits you very hard,” Staggs said.
The Rabbitohs marked the occasion by wearing special “whiteout” jerseys and releasing a tribute message declaring: “We’ve got your back, Arrow.”
Source: The Daily Telegraph
